Local News
Swaratsingh Represents T&T At IDB Meeting
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Kennedy Swaratsingh, is in Paraguay to lead T&T’s delegation at the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) annual meetings.
CAL Tests Digital Entry Form
Passengers on three flights operated by national carrier Caribbean Airlines (CAL) from tomorrow will be required to complete the T&T Digital Arrival/ Departure Form as authorities test the online platform.
Farmers Welcome Lower Feed Prices
Agriculture stakeholders are heartened by the reduction of prices for selected livestock feed by the National Flour Mills.
CIBC Reports A Drop In First Quarter Revenue
For the three months ended January 31, 2026, the bank reported net income of $50.3 million, down $5.5 million or 10% from the prior year’s quarter. Reported income before taxation from continuing operations increased by $5.5 million or 9%, to $68.8 million, however, higher income tax expense resulted in a decrease in net income compared with the prior year.
‘Inadequate Labour Holding Back Tobago Agriculture’
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said he is considering offering incentives to the private sector as the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) intends to ramp up large-scale production on the island.
Swaratsingh Urges Landlords To Register Before May 30 Deadline
The Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance Dr Kennedy Swaratsingh, is encouraging landlords across Trinidad and Tobago to complete the recently rolled out online Landlord Business Surcharge registration within the stipulated time frame.
Higher Oil Prices A Double-Edged Sword, Says Expert
Subsidy costs and national energy security are under the microscope as energy experts Anthony Paul and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan warn that the escalating war in the Middle East—specifically last weekend’s military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran—has placed T&T in a precarious economic position.
Central Block Boosts Touchstone’s LNG Growth Outlook
Touchstone Exploration has established a ‘new pillar’ of LNG-linked growth after integrating its Central Block into its producing reserves base, chief executive officer and president Paul Baay has said.
CBTT Considers Pulling Five-Cent Coin
The Central Bank of T&T (CBTT) has addressed speculation regarding the future of the five-cent coin, clarifying that while the denomination’s days may be numbered, no official decision has been made to pull it from circulation just yet.
Regional News
Colombia Seeks Deeper Ties After Embassy Reopens
Colombia has pledged to forge stronger diplomatic, cultural and educational links with Barbados through its reopened embassy here, setting out a series of initiatives this year to boost cooperation and people-to-people connections between the two nations.
Exploration Advances At Guyana’s Historic Omai Gold Mine
Exploration and development work continue at the Omai Gold Project in Guyana as Avalon Gold Exploration Inc progresses on a path to develop a long-life, large-scale mining operation.
Scotiabank Deploys Advanced ATM Technology To Elevate Banking Experience
Scotiabank has completed the rollout of its new enhanced Automated Teller Machines, known as Intelligent Deposit Machines (IDMs), across all branch locations. According to a press release from the bank, these state-of-the-art self-service terminals are designed to make everyday banking faster, safer, and more convenient for clients.
Manufacturers Urge Faster Policy Action As Major Factories Exit
The Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) on Monday called for more urgent policy measures to boost competitiveness after the recent departures of major industrial players, including the Arawak Cement Plant and Berger Paints, while insisting that domestic manufacturing remains resilient.
Govt To Introduce Strong Anti-Monopoly Legislation
The Bermuda government has announced plans to introduce strong anti monopoly and competition legislation aimed at safeguarding fair competition and preventing harmful market concentration.
Prudent Budgeting Fuelling Development While Keeping Debt Low
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, recently stated that the government has maintained a balanced approach when it comes to ensuring that the nation’s ambitious development agenda is financially sustainable.
Berger Paints’ Barbados Plant Closure Reignites Trade Rules Debate
Berger Paints Barbados’ decision to close its factory has triggered renewed concern about the future of manufacturing on the island and whether the Caribbean’s regional trade framework is working as intended.
Holness Announces Formal Establishment Of Ministry Of Defence
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced the formal establishment of a Ministry of Defence to boost Jamaica’s disaster response and ensure the Jamaica Defence Force ( JDF) has “stronger coordination at the highest level”.
Barbados Unveils Bds$3.9 Billion Budget
The Barbados government on Tuesday laid its 2026–2027 budget in Parliament, outlining projected revenue and expenditure for the upcoming financial year and revised fiscal estimates for 2025–2026 ahead of debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, set to begin on March 2.
International News
Adobe Shares Drop After CEO Exit Adds To AI-Disruption Concerns
Adobe’s shares plunged 9% in premarket trading on Friday after the Photoshop maker said CEO Shantanu Narayen would step down after 18 years at the helm, unsettling investors already wary of AI-driven disruptions to the design software market.
Nvidia To Focus On Competition-Beating AI Advances At Megaconference
When Jensen Huang strides onto the stage of a packed hockey arena to kick off Nvidia’s (NVDA) annual developer conference on Monday, he is likely to reveal products and partnerships geared toward keeping the AI chipmaker atop a growing array of competitors.
Apple Cuts China Fees In Big Concession To Beijing And Tencent
Apple Inc. is lowering the fees it collects from app developers in China, a major concession in a hugely lucrative market where the company faced the risk of antitrust intervention by local regulators.
Gold Heads For Weekly Drop As Mideast War Keeps Oil Prices High
Gold (GC=F) steadied on Friday, but headed for a second weekly decline as the war in the Middle East kept oil near $100 a barrel, underpinning global inflationary pressures.
US Stock Futures Are Steady As Oil Trims Its Surge
US equity futures steadied after three days of declines as oil prices eased off the day’s highs and investors waited to see if the war in the Middle East would escalate further.
Drone Strikes Damage Amazon Data Centers In The UAE and Bahrain
Amazon.com Inc.’s cloud unit warned of prolonged disruptions to its services after revealing that drone strikes damaged three of its data centers in the Middle East in recent days.
Sportswear Brand On Sees Possible Boost From Lower US Tariff Rate
On Holding sees lower U.S. tariff rates after the Supreme Court struck down the government’s emergency levies as a possible boost for the fast-growing Swiss sportswear brand, CEO Martin Hoffmann said on Tuesday as it delivered strong quarterly results.
Target Reports Another Quarter Of Declining Sales
Target reported another quarter of declining sales and profits as the retailer struggles to regain its footing with its customers contending with higher prices almost everywhere.
Gold Dips As Stronger Dollar Offsets Middle East Risk Premium
Gold fell after a four-day rally, as traders weighed the escalating war in the Middle East against the prospect of a stronger dollar and elevated inflation.
Reports
Economic Outlook- FEB2026
The global economy is expected to remain resilient, with the IMF projecting global GDP growth at 3.3%. Expansion is expected to be supported by technology-related investment and easing financial conditions. Disinflation is ongoing across many economies, though progress towards central bank targets remain uneven. Trade and investment may also show modest improvements, if policy uncertainty declines. However, downside risks remain, with a potential re-escalation of tariffs pressures, rising geopolitical tensions —particularly as U.S.–Iran relations worsen, increasing the likelihood of energy-market and shipping disruptions—and weaker-than-expected productivity posing threats to the outlook. Nonetheless, some upside potential remains if conditions stabilize. We will continue to monitor global developments and adjust as conditions evolve.
Earnings Update – FEB 2026
February earnings were mixed, though results were broadly resilient across listed companies. Conglomerates and trading companies posted generally solid results, with Massy Holdings (MASSY) starting its financial year with higher revenue and profit, supported by strength across its diversified portfolios. A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings (ASBH) also delivered revenue growth, largely driven by contributions from recent acquisitions. Agostini Limited (AGL), on the other hand, reported modest revenue growth alongside slightly lower profitability due to pressures in the Trinidad and Tobago market.
US Rate Watch JAN 2026
On Jan 28, 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50% – 3.75%. This decision was in line with expectations and was supported by steady growth, signs of stabilization in the unemployment rate, and persistent inflation.
Local Equity Report Jan2026
Domestically, real GDP grew by 3.1% in Q2 2025, following a 7.6% contraction in Q1, as higher energy production partially offset sluggish non energy sector activity. Inflation remained low, 0.5% in November, but was up from 0.4% in October. Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.3% year-on-year in October, and consumer lending moderated to 8.0%. Labour market conditions improved, with unemployment falling to 3.8% in June 2025.
November 2025-Economic Outlook
November 2025-Earnings Update
Economic Outlook – OCT2025
Global GDP growth has improved relative to earlier forecasts, reflecting the gradual easing of trade tensions and resilience.
Earnings Update – OCT2025
During October, Guardian Holdings Limited boasted of a 114% lift in after tax profit, owing to the gain on sale of its stake in Thoma Exploitatie B.V. Excluding this, however, underlying profit grew by 7%, or 43 million thanks to a 34% rise in insurance service results.
US Rate Watch OCT 2025
On October 29, 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00 % from 4.00% – 4.25%. This decision was supported by a moderation in economic activity, a softer labor market, and elevated inflation.